The importance of exposed riverine sediments for phytophagous beetles (Coleoptera) in Scotland and northern England

• 1. The distribution of phytophagous beetle assemblages on exposed riverine sediments (ERS) was investigated using 164 species lists from sites in four river catchments in Scotland and northern England.
• 2. The major influences affecting assemblage distribution were differences in highland and lowland catchment types and within these catchments the amount of vegetation cover. The position of sites within catchments was also important, with differences between tributary and upstream ERS and sites further downstream. Sediment composition had little influence.
• 3. River straightening and impoundments had a significant effect on the distribution of species assemblages.
• 4. A number of nationally rare and scarce species were recorded indicating that ERS appear to be important areas of relatively natural habitat within highly managed landscapes. The habitat diversity of phytophagous assemblages throughout the four catchments differed from that with other beetle groups sampled on the same sites.
• 5. ERS appear to be important sites for phytophagous beetles and the presence of nationally rare and scarce species increases ERS conservation value on sites usually considered important for other invertebrate groups.

Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.